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Steam implements virtual storefronts for games

Valve Software today confirmed that the technology behind the user-generated virtual item store found in Team Fortress 2 is now part of the company’s Steamworks tool suite.

The inclusion of the tech means that third-party publishers and developers using Steamworks have a framework for implementing virtual storefronts in their games. Steamworks also includes matchmaking, beta-testing, metrics tracking and other tools for developers.

Valve added the “Mann Co. Store” to its popular multiplayer shooter Team Fortress 2 in late September. The storefront introduced to the game the sale of virtual items, which includes a handful of user-generated pieces.

The company revealed today that five developers of the initial round of user-generated content made between $39,000 and $47,000 in royalties from the sales of the items. Valve gives 25 percent of the revenues to the creators.